Pietrangelo's focus on getting Blues to the next level

Pietrangelo's focus on getting Blues to the next levelBlues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo seems to embody his team heading into the 2012-13 season -- on the verge of becoming one of the elite, but aware there's still improvements to be made.

HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- A select number of players were on hand in Las Vegas last month for the NHL Awards ceremony. St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was not among them, but judging by his performance in the recently completed season, he could become a regular in Vegas -- possibly beginning next year.

Alex Pietrangelo - 2011-12

Defense - STL

GOALS: 12 | ASST: 39 | PTS: 51
SOG: 202 | +/-: 16

Pietrangelo finished fourth in the Norris Trophy voting behind winner Erik Karlsson; Shea Weber was the runner-up followed by Zdeno Chara. But instead of reveling in his personal accomplishments of last season that included career highs in goals (12), assists (39), points (51) and games played (81), Pietrangelo's thoughts were more on what might have been for a Blues team that finished with the second-best mark in franchise history.

"The worst thing was watching the Kings win the Cup knowing that could have been us," said Pietrangelo, who helped the Blues to a 49-22-11 record and 109 points.

At times it's hard to imagine that Pietrangelo is only 22, because he shows maturity beyond his years. The King City, Ontario, native is appreciative of the accolades that have started to come his way and the countless awards he could be up for in the future. However, it's obvious winning is what matters most.

"You've got to stay positive with that," Pietrangelo said of being recognized for the Norris. "You've got to take that as a compliment and use that as motivation to maybe get into that top three next year or have a chance to win it.

"It definitely feels good to know that you've accomplished that, but I've got to get better. I want to help this team win. That's my ultimate goal … meaning I've got to play better or take more of a load on my shoulders. That's what I'm going to do, keep working to get better, keep working to get stronger and try to influence games even more."

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Pietrangelo, along with teammate David Perron, has been on hand this week to work alongside Blues prospects who are in town for their initial orientation meetings and workouts with strength and conditioning coach Nelson Ayotte.

It's only the middle of July, and NHL training camps aren't scheduled to get under way for another two months. But being swept out of the playoffs in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champions doesn't leave a good taste in players' mouths, particularly Pietrangelo, the team's cornerstone blueliner.

"The further into the summer you get, the more focused you're getting towards starting to skate and working on things on the ice," said Pietrangelo, who said he's healthy from the MCL knee sprain he suffered in Game 1 against the Kings. "I haven't gone on the ice yet, but in a week or two, it's going to get to that point.

"The more training you get into Nelson's programs, the more advanced it's going to be like any other program. It's different from last year and mine's different from (Perron's)."

Pietrangelo, the fourth pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, will enter his third full season (fifth overall) in October. He saw the large contract Karlsson, the 15th pick in that same 2008 draft, recently signed (seven years, $45.5 million) as well as some of the deals defensemen got as unrestricted free agents. With one year remaining on his entry-level deal that has a cap hit of $3.167 million, Pietrangelo, who will become a restricted free agent next summer, is in line for his own big payday. That's the challenge for Blues general manager Doug Armstrong.

"Yeah, not only me, but you've got other guys on this team that are going into the prime of their careers," said Pietrangelo, who led the Blues in average ice time at 24:43 (tied for 16th in the NHL) and was plus-16. "(Kevin Shattenkirk) is another young defenseman getting into that same situation.

"It's exciting, but the biggest thing for me is where this team's headed. Obviously with the re-signing of (Perron) and Scotty (Nichol) and whoever else we get a chance to sign, it's going to be another good year for us moving forward. What else Army does, I don't know, but what we have right now is going to be a fun part of it. Hopefully there's bigger and better things for all of us."

While others teams have handed out some lengthy, large-dollar contracts, the Blues have stayed relatively quiet. Other than re-signing some of their own free agents (most notably Perron and Chris Stewart to go with T.J. Oshie on the horizon) and adding some depth players, the Blues have remained on the outside looking in.

As far as Pietrangelo is concerned, that's perfectly fine.

"I want to help this team win. That's my ultimate goal … meaning I've got to play better or take more of a load on my shoulders. That's what I'm going to do, keep working to get better, keep working to get stronger and try to influence games even more." -- Alex Pietrangelo

"I don't think we need to change much," he said. "You (media) guys are around us. You see how well we all get along. I've never played on a team where guys are such a difference in age and everybody gets along so well. To have that relationship is tough to find. We really don't want to mess that up too much.

"Obviously there's ways to improve the team and what-not, but we get along in this room and we're happy with what we have. We accomplished quite a bit last year. It's fun to be a part of it."

High on the priority list for Armstrong has been to find a suitable partner for Pietrangelo on the top pairing. Carlo Colaiacovo, an unrestricted free agent and Pietrangelo's close friend, was a mainstay in that role the past couple of seasons. But it's likely the Blues are moving in another direction.

The team showed interest in free agent Matt Carle, who signed in Tampa Bay. Ryan Suter, who got a mega contract in Minnesota, was out of the Blues' term and price range. They've been linked to trade rumors, with Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester and Phoenix's Keith Yandle the top headliners, but it could be someone from within who takes that role of partner. Ian Cole and Shattenkirk come to mind. If it is Shattenkirk, a move to the left side for Pietrangelo could come into play.

"Right now, we're comfortable with (Barret) Jackman, (Kris) Russell (and) Cole over on that left side," Armstrong said. "If we can add to that group, we will. We don't believe it's prudent to go out and do something just to add a player. We want to make sure it's the right player."

Pietrangelo has remained relatively quiet about the prospect of playing with someone else. However, he is interested and will stay within earshot of the proceedings.

"You leave that up to Army and what they think needs to be done," Pietrangelo said. "But the guys that we have … if you consider us a young team still, you've got to take that as a good thing with the experiences that we had, considering this was the first playoff experience for some of us. I thought we did pretty well, and that's going to carry us hopefully moving forward into next year.

"You're always interested. I'm interested if they're going to sign any forwards or what else … I don't know what Army's doing. You always want to know what's going on with the team. That's not up to me. That's up to them. I'm going to go about my business and play and train the same way no matter who they bring in."

He's only 17 but he can see the ice so well and he moves the puck and goes to the open ice all the time, so I just think he's a player that is ready to play in the NHL. I'm really looking forward to coaching someone like this.

— U.S. National Junior Team coach Ron Wilson on Auston Matthews, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft